(UPDATE) Homicide Suspect in Custody

DrydenWire.com

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | Updated May 24, 2018 7:03 am CDT

Authorities issued the following press release earlier today stating that Preston Kraft has been apprehended.

On Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at approximately 0800 the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a citizen who lives on Imalone Rd on the boarder of Atlanta and Murry Townships. The citizen informed Rusk County Dispatch that they believed they just saw the homicide suspect, Preston Kraft walk past their residence on Imalone Rd.

The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office responded and set up a perimeter along with numerous other law enforcement agencies on the ground and in the air. Deputies assigned to the perimeter saw Kraft numerous times moving throughout the fields and woods within the perimeter area. A team of K9’s and Deputies then deployed to the area where Kraft was last seen and he was taken into custody.

No injuries were reported during the 5 day search for Kraft.

The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies:Ladysmith Police Dept, WI State Patrol, WI DNR, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, Barron County Sheriff’s Office, Price County Sheriff’s Office, WI DCI, Birchwood Police Dept, Washburn County Sheriff’s Office, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office and Rusk County EMS.

Without the assistance of these other agencies, the search for Kraft would have been nearly impossible. Thank you for offering your Officers, Deputies, Investigators, K9’s, Drones, Armored Vehicles and Aircraft.

We would also like to thank the residents of Rusk County. The information you were able to provide us played a very large part in Kraft’s apprehension.

Authorities: Homicide Suspect Reportedly Spotted Near Blue Hills

Editor's Note: Chief Deputy Phil Grassmann of the Rusk County Sheriff's Office issued the following update at 9:40p tonight, Sunday, May 20, 2018

Today the Rusk County Sheriffs Office received two separate reports of possible sightings of homicide suspect Preston Kraft in the Blue Hills.